Gaming systems with random wild symbols

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for facilitating participation in a primary or bonus event of a slot machine or other gaming activity having one or more symbols randomly acquire wild attributes. An embodiment of a gaming method in accordance with the present invention involves randomly designating segments of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions, and for each of the candidate wild positions, changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol if the change will improve a result for any paylines involving the respective wild position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/772,746, filed on Feb. 13, 2006, to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to gaming systems and processes, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing a gaming activity having one or more symbols randomly acquire wild attributes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming devices such as slot machines have been in use in the U.S. for over a century. The earliest slot machines originally paid out in cigars and chewing gum. Remnants of the early slot machines are manifested in the traditional “fruit” symbols such as cherries, lemons, oranges, etc., which represent the original flavors of gum. Notwithstanding the similarity of the symbols and reels associated with the slot machines of both today and yesteryear, modern day slot machine implementations are markedly different than their mechanical ancestors. This dramatic implementation disparity results primarily from the advent of computers and video capabilities.

Pure chance gaming devices such as slot machines have proved wildly popular, and in recent years have rivaled and even surpassed their once untouchable table game counterparts. One reason for this popularity is the increase in innovation, and the recognition of the need for human stimulation. While true that a primary motivator for people to play gaming devices is the chance to win monetary or other prizes (in the case of legalized gambling), the intrigue and excitement of playing these newly created machines lures people as well. It is therefore important in the gaming industry that gaming innovations be rolled out to the participating public.

Conventionally, participation in slot machines involves initiating the rotation of multiple reels, and allowing the machine to randomly stop the reel rotation such that associated reel symbols line up a payline. If the symbols on that payline correspond to a predetermined symbol combination, the participant wins an amount corresponding to the particular symbol combination. For multi-lined paylines, a coin or other token may be played for any one or more of the available paylines, and each of the paylines may provide a winning payout. When this occurs, the slot machine pays out according to the payoff table posted on the slot machine. The payoff table informs players of the winning symbol combinations for that machine, and what each combination pays based on the number of coins allocated for the spin. If a winning combination occurs, the machine releases money or tokens into a payout chute, or may award the winning amount onto a credit meter for the player. For example, if a player initially wagered three coins and that player won a high payout, that player may receive fifty coins of the same denomination in return, or may receive fifty credits for continued play.

It is a continual effort in the gaming industry to develop ways to attract and captivate players in playing gaming machines, such as slot games. One such manner of stimulating interest and heightening excitement has been through the use of “bonus” events. Bonus events or games are used to attract and keep players at a gaming machine. A bonus game is typically an additional gaming reel or machine, or a random selection device, that is enabled by a bonus qualifying signal from an underlying or primary gaming machine. Generally, a predetermined prize-winning combination of symbols in an underlying or primary game may result in the player being awarded one or more bonus games. Often the bonus event has a much higher probability of winning, thereby instilling a great interest by players in being awarded bonus events.

There are various secondary or “bonus” events known in the art. One such bonus event allows the player to depress a bonus spin button to allow the player one or more additional free spins in which a winning payout may be made. Alternatively, additional, discrete bonus reels may be used for the bonus event. In such case, a particular symbol on any one or more of the reels, which are stopped on a winning line, may result in a winning payout. In some bonus activities, the reels may be controllable in a bonus play, unlike the underlying primary gaming play. For example, the reels may be individually stopped, and/or the reels may be rotated slower to allow the player to attempt to stop the reel such that the prize-winning symbol stops on the win line. In another example, a bonus event for a video slot machine may have a second screen where the player may be rewarded with a bonus game, such as allowing the player to pick one of five different items on the second screen, and the selected item reveals a value won by the player. In recent times, bonus events have become quite extravagant, sometimes leading the player through video animations that provide visual and audio entertainment while providing clever ways in which the participant can receive payouts of varying quantities. After engaging in the bonus event, play resumes in the underlying, primary gaming machine.

Of these different types of bonus activities, one type includes those bonus activities where the participant may be allowed to actively participate in the bonus event. For example, participants may be allowed to make some sort of selection in order to make the participant feel as though he or she has in some way contributed to the ultimate result. While this may be desirable for some participants, others are more intrigued by the random nature of gaming devices, and may seek an exciting manner of engaging in bonus activities without having to figure out how to best play such a bonus round. This participant sentiment may become increasingly prevalent where the bonus activity is entirely different from the original, standard play of the game. For example, a standard slot machine may have a bonus activity where an animated series of events takes place, and the participant must try to figure out how to effectively play the bonus round. As some bonus activities become more and more elaborate, some participants may be put off by the inherent complexities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in connection with the embodiments illustrated in the following diagrams.

FIG. 1-A illustrates a display grid useful for providing a gaming activity having one or more symbols randomly acquire wild attributes in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1-B illustrates a display grid with symbols representing a bonus qualifying event for a gaming activity in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2-A is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment in which physical or virtual reel strips are associated with a slot game in the standard and bonus modes in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2-B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of multiple paylines used in connection with a video display device in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3-A is a flow diagram illustrating representative embodiments of the bonus features in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3-B illustrates an embodiment of a display used to invoke a bonus round of play incorporating random wild features in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3-C illustrates an embodiment of a display after completion of the bonus round of play incorporating random wild features in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3-D is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method involving a random wild feature in connection with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a casino-style gaming device in which the principles of the present invention may be applied; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a representative computing system capable of carrying out operations in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a system, apparatus, and method for providing a gaming activity having one or more symbols randomly acquire wild attributes.

Generally, the present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for facilitating participation in a slot game, such as that played on a slot machine or other computing device. An embodiment of a gaming method in accordance with the present invention involves presenting a display grid having a plurality of grid positions to a game player and providing a symbol in at least some grid positions in response to a game play. A bonus event may be entered in response to a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols being provided to the game player. One or more of the grid positions are randomly chosen as candidate wild positions. The candidate wild positions are indicated to the game player as wild if changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a wild symbol benefits the game player. Winning results are determined by a processor using the provided symbols and the indicated wild symbols.

The processor may include a random number generator configured to randomly select the symbols for presentation in the active grid positions. A casino gaming apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be configured as a slot machine, and the standard mode of operation of the slot machine is a slot game. Other embodiments include poker games, bingo games, keno games, or other games.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided that includes randomly designating one or more segments of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions. For each of the candidate wild positions, an existing symbol is changed to a wild symbol if the change will improve a result for any paylines involving the respective wild position.

In accordance with a more particular embodiment of such a method, changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol involves changing the existing symbol to a wild symbol if the change results in a winning symbol combination for any paylines involving the respective candidate wild position. In another embodiment, changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol involves changing the existing symbol to a wild symbol if the change results in an award or an increased award for any paylines involving the respective candidate wild position. In another embodiment, the method further includes leaving the existing symbol unchanged if the change will not improve the result for any paylines involving the respective wild position.

In another embodiment, the method includes determining whether changing symbols presented in the designated one or more segments will improve the result for any of the paylines involving the respective wild position by analyzing resulting symbol combinations occurring on the paylines. Another embodiment involves determining whether changing symbols presented in the designated one or more segments will result in an award or an increased award. In another embodiment, randomly designating a segment(s) as candidate wild positions involves randomly designating a subset of the set of segments forming the gaming grid as the candidate wild positions. Another embodiment involves changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol by replacing a symbol previously presented in the respective segment to a wild symbol. This replacement of a symbol previously presented in the respective segment may involve replacing a symbol presented during a standard gaming activity to a wild symbol in a bonus gaming activity.

Other embodiments of such a method include designating a number of segments eligible for the random designation as candidate wild positions. Another embodiment involves providing a standard gaming activity to present symbols in the gaming grid, and wherein changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol comprises replacing the symbol presented via the standard gaming activity to the wild symbol. In another embodiment, randomly designating one or more segments as candidate wild positions involves randomly designating the segment(s) as candidate wild positions in response to new symbols being presented via the gaming grid. This random designation may be in response to a spin(s) of mechanical or electronic reels that form the gaming grid. In yet another embodiment, payout results are determined for each of the paylines that are active and associated with the gaming grid. Other embodiments involve a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon which are executable by a computer system for performing any of these features of the method.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described specific examples of a system, apparatus, and method in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration the particular embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, as structural and operational changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for facilitating participation in a slot game, such as that played on a slot machine or other computing device, where one or more symbols randomly acquire wild attributes. An embodiment of a gaming method in accordance with the present invention involves presenting a plurality of grid positions to a game player and providing a symbol in each of grid positions in response to a game play. During standard play, or in connection with a bonus event occurring in response to a predetermined symbol or symbol combination being provided to the game player, one or more grid positions are randomly chosen as candidate wild positions. The candidate wild position(s) are indicated as wild if changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a wild symbol benefits the game player. Winning results are determined using the provided symbols and the indicated wild symbols.

In accordance with one embodiment, the display segments are provided electronically, whereas in another embodiment the display segments are represented by a reel, wheel, or other rotatable shape. Various electronic embodiments are first described, and various mechanical embodiments are subsequently described.

The present invention, as described more fully below, may be applicable to a variety of gaming activities that are played on a gaming machine, including slot games such as reel slots and video slots, electronic poker and other electronic card games, keno, bingo, craps, dice, roulette, etc. The present invention is, however, described in large part in the present description in terms of slot machines to provide an understanding of the invention. For example, in the context of slot games/machines, the present invention allows slot game participants to partake in a standard slot game, while having the opportunity to become engaged in a bonus activity according to the present invention. While the invention may be particularly advantageous in the context of slot machines, and while a description in terms of slot machines facilitates an understanding of the invention, the invention is equally applicable to other gaming activities of chance as will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art from the description provided herein.

More particularly, an exemplary gaming system in which the principles of the present invention are particularly beneficial includes at least one standard gaming activity, and at least one bonus activity. For example, in the context of slot machines, a standard gaming activity includes the normal slot game in which the participant places a wager, initiates spinning the slot game reels, and collects payouts upon the occurrence of one of two or more predetermined winning symbol combinations. A bonus activity is an activity different from the standard gaming activity, which generally only occurs at certain times. In other words, where the standard gaming activity is the gaming activity that is presented to the participant automatically in connection with play of the gaming device, a bonus activity is not automatically presented to the participant. Rather, the bonus activity is generally a special occurrence awarded to the participant for an occurrence resulting from standard gaming play. For example, a bonus event may be awarded to a slot game participant if a resulting symbol combination occurring during standard slot game activity corresponds to a symbol combination determined in advance to result in a bonus event award.

Bonus events are typically used to attract and keep players at a gaming machine, and are typically an additional game or machine, or a random selection device, that may be enabled by a bonus qualifying signal from an underlying or primary gaming activity. Generally, a predetermined combination of symbols in an underlying game may result in the player being awarded one or more bonus games. Often the bonus event has a much higher probability of winning, thereby instilling a great interest by players in being awarded bonus events.

As is described more fully below, the present invention provides a gaming activity having a bonus activity where one or more symbols randomly acquire wild attributes. It should be recognized, however, that the principles of the present invention may be utilized in a standard mode of play rather than a bonus mode of play. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention may be utilized in a standard mode of play from the description provided herein. While the present invention may be carried out in a standard play mode, an exemplary embodiment of the invention utilizes the present invention in a secondary, or bonus mode, and while embodiments of the invention are largely described herein in connection with such a bonus mode of operation, the invention is not limited thereto.

In order to provide an understanding of the operation of the invention, FIGS. 1-A and 1B illustrate a sequence of events carried out in connection with a slot machine in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1-A illustrates an example of a slot game grid 100 that may be presented on a slot game display 102. Different slot games may exhibit a variety of different reel characteristics and display formats. For example, some slot games include a conventional three-reel configuration traditionally used in mechanical-reel slot machines. In a three-reel configuration, three reels each having an associated reel strip of symbols rotate vertically as viewed by the participant. The reels stop at random locations, thereby presenting the participant with one, two, or three paylines of potentially winning symbol combinations, depending on the amount wagered by the participant. In more recent times, this traditional reel display format has changed significantly, largely due to the ability to present electronic reels on a display screen. This has resulted in a variety of different reel formats, including greater quantities of vertically rotating electronic reels, greater numbers of paylines, and paylines that include vertical, diagonal, as well as the traditional horizontal paylines. The present invention may be applicable with any reel configuration. Therefore, the slot game grid 100 of FIG. 1-A is shown as having an indeterminate number of rows and columns, which can accordingly represent an indeterminate number of reels, paylines, and the like.

The slot game grid 100 of FIG. 1-A includes a number of rows, which may represent different paylines. However, as will be described more fully below, rows do not necessarily correspond to paylines in accordance with the present invention. Each row includes one or more display segments. The first row includes display segments 110, 112, 114, through some predetermined number of display segments represented by display segment 118. Similarly, a second row includes display segments 120, 122, 124 through 128, and a third row includes display segments 130, 132, 134 through 138. Depending on the number of display segments, rows, paylines, etc. desired, additional rows through the final row are provided, where the final row includes display segments 140, 142, 144 through 148. Thus, FIG. 1-A is intended to represent a generic slot game grid having any number or combination of display segments.

Referring now to FIG. 1-B, the slot game grid 100 presented on the display 102 illustrates how symbols ultimately correspond to the display segments. For example, the slot game state represented in FIG. 1-B may include at least four rotating reels (e.g., virtual reels), including the reels corresponding to columns 150, 152, 154 through 158. When the reels randomly come to a stop in accordance with a standard mode of slot game play, slot game symbols are presented in each of the display segments as shown in FIG. 1-B. In some instances, the “symbol” may be a blank symbol as shown in display segments 112 and 128. Each of the various rows 160, 162, 164 through 168 may represent various paylines, where a predetermined combination of symbols in any of the paylines may produce a winning combination and payout during the standard mode of play. Paylines may also be provided in other manners, such as vertically through columns 150, 152, 154 through 158 (particularly where each of the symbols in such columns are not in a predetermined reel strip configuration). Paylines may also be made diagonally, or in some other predetermined pattern. The particular manner in which paylines are formed during a standard mode of play is not of particular importance to the present invention.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined pattern, number of symbols, or other predetermined symbol configuration will initiate a secondary mode of play, referred to herein as a bonus mode of play. The bonus mode can be initiated by a certain symbol and/or symbol combination arising on any of the paylines of the slot game grid 100, or by a certain predetermined symbol and/or symbol combination arising anywhere on the grid 100. In the example of FIG. 1-B, a predetermined symbol combination of three cloud symbols initiates the bonus activity. These three cloud symbols are shown in display segments 114, 130, and 142. It should be noted that any predetermined symbol may initiate the bonus activity, as well as any number of such symbols arising (e.g., one, two, etc.) Again, for purposes of illustration, three cloud symbols trigger the bonus mode in the present example.

In one embodiment of the invention, the standard mode of play may implement a first set of physical or electronic (e.g., virtual) reel strips, and the bonus mode of play may implement a different set of reel strips, where each reel strip provides a symbol set. Further, the standard mode of play may implement physical or virtual reel strips where multiple sequential symbols of the reel strip is provided on multiple paylines during the standard mode of play. For example, referring to FIG. 2-A, a slot machine 200 is shown in the standard mode of play. In this example, the standard mode includes three paylines, shown as payline-1 202, payline-2 204, and payline-3 206. The reel strips associated with the standard mode of play may be provided as physical strips having symbols imprinted thereon, such that the stopping point of the reel strip determines which symbols will fall on the paylines 202, 204, 206. For example, a first reel strip, RS-1 210 includes a series of symbols. This reel strip, when stopped, presents a group of symbols on the paylines 202, 204, 206. More particularly, the symbol group 212A is presented across payline-1 202, payline-2 204, and payline-3 206 as seen on the slot machine 200 as symbol group 212B. Analogously, the symbol group 214A of RS-2 216 is presented across paylines 202, 204, 206 as symbol group 214B on the slot machine 200; and the symbol group 218A of RS-3 220 is presented across paylines 202, 204, 206 as symbol group 218B on the slot machine 200. The same may hold true for virtual reel strips, where the order of the symbols on the virtual reel strip may be carried over to the order of the symbols presented across the paylines.

It should be noted that the particular reel strips, number of symbols, and type of symbols presented on the reel strips 230, 232, 234 may differ from one embodiment to the next. For example, each of the reel strips can include a different symbol set altogether, rather than having symbols from a common symbol set such as illustrated in FIG. 2-A. Further, the symbols associated with any of the reel strips may change. For example, after each “spin” in the bonus mode one or more of the reel strips can change symbols, add symbols, remove symbols, etc.

FIG. 2-B provides an example of multiple paylines that may be used with random wild features in accordance with the invention. In this example, a video display screen 300 is provided. The video display screen may be implemented in a variety of manners, including electronically represented with outputs shown on conventional electronic displays, such as a liquid crystal displays (LCD), dot matrix, plasma, CRT, LED, electro-luminescent display, or generally any type of video display known in the art.

The display screen of the illustrated embodiment includes a grid 301 including two or more video display segments. In one embodiment, the grid includes five virtual reels 302, 304, 306, 308, and 310 that rotate vertically. However, in a video display environment, the electronic reels need not rotate vertically, but may rotate horizontally along rows, or each display segment may rotate independently of other display segments. In this example it is assumed that the electronic reels rotate vertically and in groups defined by reels 302, 304, 306, 308, and 310.

In the standard mode of play, the reels 302, 304, 306, 308, and 310 are electronically rotated. The reels are randomly stopped pursuant to operation of a random number generator (RNG) or other random operation engine. Winning symbol combinations may be presented along a number of different paylines. The example of FIG. 2-B includes five paylines, shown as payline-1 320, payline-2 322, payline-3 324, payline-4 326, and payline-5 328. Additional paylines could be implemented, such as along columns, particularly where the standard mode of play randomly selects symbols at each display segment rather than providing a continuous reel strip for each column. In this example, payline-1 320 includes display segments 330, 332, 334, 336, and 338. Payline-2 322 includes display segments 340, 342, 344, 346, and 348. Payline-3 324 includes display segments 350, 352, 354, 356, and 358. Payline-4 326 includes display segments 330, 342, 354, 346, and 338. Finally, payline-5 328 includes display segments 350, 342, 334, 346, and 358.

While the participant may win credits by obtaining predetermined symbol combinations along paylines 320, 322, 324, 326, 328 during the standard mode of play, the present embodiment also includes a bonus mode of play. Any predetermined symbol criteria may be used to invoke the bonus mode of play. For purposes of discussion, it is assumed that the criteria used in invoke the bonus mode is that a predetermined symbol must present itself in each of the reels 302, 304, 306, 308, 310. The example of FIG. 2-B illustrates that such predetermined symbols presented themselves during standard play at display segments 340, 352, 354, 356, and 348. This invokes the bonus mode of play.

FIG. 3-A is a flow diagram illustrating representative embodiments of the present invention, provided as the bonus mode of play invoked as described above. As previously indicated, the invention is equally applicable to a standard/normal mode of play, but for purposes of FIG. 3-A it is assumed that a bonus mode is involved. A bonus mode 600 is entered, and a number 610 is chosen for candidate wild positions. For example, the number 610 may be randomly selected from the set of integers {2,3,4}. Therefore, after entering the bonus mode 600, the number 610 will be 2, 3, or 4. Alternatively, the number 610 may be predetermined by the event that invoked the bonus mode of play. For example, a bonus symbol may be used to invoke the bonus mode of play. If one bonus symbol invoked the bonus mode of play, the number 610 selected may be two. If two bonus symbols invoked the bonus mode of play, the number 610 selected may be three. If three bonus symbols invoked the bonus mode of play, the number 610 selected may be four. This example is for illustration purposes only, and is not intended to limit how the number 610 is selected.

The number 610 is then used to randomly select the number 610 of display elements 620 as candidates for random wilds. For example, if the number 610 is three, three display elements are randomly selected, such as by using an RNG, as random wild candidates. Before the selected candidate elements are indicated to the game player, a determination 630 is made as to whether making the selected candidate element wild will benefit the game player. If the determination 630 indicates that making the selected candidate element wild benefits the game player, then the candidate element is indicated 635 to the game player as a wild position. If the determination 630 indicates that making the selected candidate element wild does not benefit the game player, then the candidate element is not indicated 637 to the game player as a wild position. If there are more element determinations 630 to perform, the next candidate display element 639 is selected, and the determination 630 is performed for that element. After all determinations are completed 638 for all the candidate wild positions, a payout 640 is determined based on the original symbols presented to the player, with the indicated positions taken to be wild.

FIGS. 3-B and 3-C illustrate an embodiment of a method in accordance with the bonus mode 600, as applied to a slot machine. FIG. 3-B illustrates a display 650 that invokes a bonus round of play, and FIG. 3-C illustrates the display 650 after completion of the bonus round. FIGS. 3-B and 3-C illustrate a 3-row, 5-column display 650 from a slot machine. In FIG. 3-B, reels 652, 654, 656, 658, and 660 have been spun, and the symbols in the display elements 665-679 have been presented to a game player. Five paylines, including Payline-1 682, Payline-2 683, Payline-3 684, Payline-4 685, Payline-5 686, have been selected by the game player.

The spin resulted in bonus symbols being presented in display elements 671 and 677. For illustration purposes, consider that the presentation of two bonus symbols on a payline predetermines that three display elements will be randomly chosen as candidate wilds. A processor in the slot machine then randomly selects display elements 667, 670, and 674 as candidate elements.

The processor then evaluates the candidate elements to determine if replacing the symbols in those elements is beneficial to the game player. As the processor evaluates display element 667, a determination is made that if the display element 667 is made wild, the player would have three consecutive stars in payline-1 682, while still retaining the outcome of three double arrows on payline-5 685, which would benefit the game player with an increased payout. After the determination, display element 667 is indicated as wild, in this example by replacing the symbol at display element 667 with a wild symbol.

The processor then evaluates the display element 670, and a determination is made that if the display element 670 is made wild, the player would not benefit from any increased payout. This is because the symbol at display element 670 was already wild from the initial spin that invoked the bonus play. After the determination for display element 670, no change is indicated to the game player.

The processor then evaluates the display element 674, and a determination is made that if the display element 674 is made wild, the player would benefit from an increased payout. The determination is made that if the display element 674 is evaluated as a double arrow, the player would increase from four arrows in a row, to five arrows in a row, which would benefit the game player with an increased payout. This occurs because, in this example, both the bonus symbol at display element 671 and the wild symbol at display element 670 are interpreted as double arrows. (The bonus is also a wild.) After the determination, display element 674 is indicated as a wild, in this example by replacing the symbol at display element 674 with a wild symbol. FIG. 3-C illustrates the display 650 that is presented to the game player after the determinations have been made, indicating the improved results to the game player.

FIG. 3-D is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method involving a random wild feature in connection with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the method includes randomly designating 690 one or more segments of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions. For each of the candidate wild positions, it is determined 692 whether changing the respective segment would improve a result for any paylines involving the respective wild position. If so, the existing symbol is changed 694 to a wild symbol; if not, the existing symbol is left unchanged 696.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a casino-style gaming device in which the principles of the present invention may be applied. Many traditional casino table games may be provided in a “video game” available via a casino-style gaming device shown in FIG. 4. For purposes of explanation, the description of the gaming device is FIG. 4 is provided in terms of a slot machine 400. However, the present invention is analogously applicable to other casino-style games having the ability to include at least one bonus activity.

The slot machine 400 is a structure including at least a computing system, a housing, and a display. The housing includes a base 402 and a display device 404 to allow the slot machine 400 to be a self-supported, independent structure. The base 402 includes structure supporting the slot machine 400, and also includes a user interface 406 to allow the user to control and engage in play of the slot machine 400. The particular user interface mechanisms associated with user interface 406 is dependent on the type of gaming machine. For example, the user interface 406 may include one or more buttons, switches, joysticks, levers, pull-down handles, trackballs, voice-activated input, or any other user input system or mechanism that allows the user to play the particular gaming activity. The user input 406 allows the user to enter coins or otherwise obtain credits through vouchers, tokens, credit cards, etc. Various mechanisms for entering such vouchers, tokens, credit cards, coins, etc. are known in the art. For example, coin/token input mechanisms, card readers, credit card readers, smart card readers, punch card readers, and other mechanisms may be used to enter wagers. It is through the user input 406 that the user can initiate the standard mode of play, and may optionally control certain aspects of the bonus mode of play. In the case of a slot machine, the user input may include two or more buttons, e.g., button 408, which allow the user to enter a number of credits to play, identify the number of paylines in which to participate, cash out, automatically bet the maximum amount and paylines, etc. It should be recognized that a wide variety of other user interface options are available for use in connection with the present invention, including pressing a button on a gaming machine, touching a segment of a touch-screen, entering text, entering voice commands, or other known user entry methodology. The particular user interface mechanism employed is not relevant to the present invention.

The display device 404 includes a display screen 410. The display device may take on a variety of forms depending on what type of presentation is to be provided. For example, a slot game area 420 is provided where the standard slot gaming activity is displayed. In this example, the standard slot gaming activity includes five video reels 422, 423, 424, 425, and 426, and three paylines depicted as the 1^(st) payline 428, the 2^(nd) payline 430, and the 3^(rd) payline 432. The display segments occur at the intersections of each video reel and payline. Another presentation that may be displayed on the display screen 410 is the bonus payout bar 440, which may optionally be displayed only during the bonus mode of play.

Also associated with the display device 404 is an optional pay table or winning guide area 412, where information associated with the potential winning symbol combinations of the standard slot game activity may be presented. This area may also provide in indication of the requisite symbols, symbol combinations, symbol locations, etc. that are required to invoke the bonus mode in accordance with the invention. This information may be part of the display screen 410, or alternatively may be separate from the display screen 410 and provided directly on a portion of the display device 404 structure itself. For example, a backlit colored panel may be used as the winning guide area 412.

The gaming machines described in connection with the present invention may be independent casino gaming machines, such as slot machines or other special purpose gaming kiosks, video games, or may be computing systems operating under the direction of local gaming software and/or remotely-provided software such as provided by an application service provider (ASP). The casino gaming machines utilize computing systems to control and manage the gaming activity. An example of a representative computing system capable of carrying out operations in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5.

Hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof may be used to perform the various gaming functions, display presentations and operations described herein. The functional modules used in connection with the invention may reside in a gaming machine as described, or may alternatively reside on a stand-alone or networked computer. The computing structure 500 of FIG. 5 is an example computing structure that can be used in connection with such electronic gaming machines, computers, or other computer-implemented devices to carry out operations of the present invention.

The example computing arrangement 500 suitable for performing the gaming and bonus group elimination functions in accordance with the present invention typically includes a central processor (CPU) 502 coupled to random access memory (RAM) 504 and some variation of read-only memory (ROM) 506. The ROM 506 may also be other types of storage media to store programs, such as programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), etc. The processor 502 may communicate with other internal and external components through input/output (I/O) circuitry 508 and bussing 510, to provide control signals, communication signals, and the like.

Chance-based gaming systems such as slot machines, in which the present invention is applicable, are governed by random numbers and processors. Electronic reels are used to display the result of the digital reels, which are actually stored in computer memory and “spun” by a random number generator (RNG). RNGs are well known in the art, and may be implemented using hardware, software operable in connection with the processor 502, or some combination of hardware and software. In accordance with generally known technology in the field of slot machines, the processor 502 associated with the slot machine, under appropriate program instruction, can simulate the vertical rotation of multiple reels. Generally, the RNG continuously cycles through numbers, even when the machine is not being played. The slot machine selects, for example, three random numbers. The numbers chosen at the moment the play is initiated are typically the numbers used to determine the final outcome, i.e., the outcome is settled the moment the reels are spun. The resulting random numbers are generally divided by a fixed number. This fixed number is often thirty-two, but for slot machines with large progressive jackpots it may be even greater. After dividing, the remainders will be retained. For example, if the divisor was one-hundred twenty-eight, the machine would have three remainders ranging from zero to one-hundred twenty-seven. The remainders may be considered as stops on virtual reels. If the divisor was one-hundred twenty-eight, then the virtual reels would each have one-hundred twenty-eight stops with each stop being equally likely. Each stop on the virtual reel may be mapped to a stop on an actual reel or displayed reel image. These reel images may then be displayed on the display 520. The present invention is operable using any known RNG, and may be integrally programmed as part of the processor 502 operation, or alternatively may be a separate RNG controller 540. RNGs are well known in the art, and any type of RNG may be implemented for the standard mode of play and/or the bonus mode of play in accordance with the invention.

The computing arrangement 500 may also include one or more data storage devices, including hard and floppy disk drives 512, CD-ROM drives 514, and other hardware capable of reading and/or storing information such as DVD, etc. In one embodiment, software for carrying out the standard and bonus gaming operations in accordance with the present invention may be stored and distributed on a CD-ROM 516, diskette 518 or other form of media capable of portably storing information. These storage media may be inserted into, and read by, devices such as the CD-ROM drive 514, the disk drive 512, etc. The software may also be transmitted to the computing arrangement 500 via data signals, such as being downloaded electronically via a network, such as the Internet. Further, as previously described, the software for carrying out the functions associated with the present invention may alternatively be stored in internal memory/storage of the computing device 500, such as in the ROM 506. The computing arrangement 500 is coupled to the display 520, which represents a display on which the gaming activities in accordance with the invention are presented. The display 520 merely represents the “presentation” of the video information in accordance with the invention, and may be any type of known display or presentation screen, such as LCD displays, plasma display, cathode ray tubes (CRT), etc. Where the computing device 500 represents a stand-alone or networked computer, the display 520 may represent a standard computer terminal or display capable of displaying multiple windows, frames, etc. Where the computing device is embedded within an electronic gaming machine, such as slot machine 400 of FIG. 4, the display 520 corresponds to the display screen 410 of FIG. 4. A user input interface 522 such as a mouse or keyboard may be provided where the computing device 500 is associated with a standard computer. An embodiment of a user input interface 522 is illustrated in connection with an electronic gaming machine 400 of FIG. 4 as the various “buttons” 408. Other user input interface devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touch pad, a touch screen, voice-recognition system, etc.

The computing arrangement 500 may be connected to other computing devices or gaming machines, such as via a network. The computing arrangement 500 may be connected to a network server 528 in an intranet or local network configuration. The computer may further be part of a larger network configuration as in a global area network (GAN) such as the Internet. In such a case, the computer accesses one or more web servers 530 via the Internet 532.

Other components directed to slot machine implementations include manners of gaming participant payment, and gaming machine payout. For example, a slot machine including the computing arrangement 500 may also include a hopper controller 542 to determine the amount of payout to be provided to the participant. The hopper controller may be integrally implemented with the processor 502, or alternatively as a separate hopper controller 542. A hopper 544 may also be provided in slot machine embodiments, where the hopper serves as the mechanism holding the coins/tokens of the machine. The wager input module 546 represents any mechanism for accepting coins, tokens, coupons, bills, credit cards, smart cards, membership cards, etc. for which a participant inputs a wager amount.

Using the foregoing specification, the invention may be implemented as a machine, process, or article of manufacture by using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce programming software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof.

Any resulting program(s), having computer-readable program code, may be embodied within one or more computer-usable media such as memory devices or transmitting devices, thereby making a computer program product or article of manufacture according to the invention. As such, the terms “article of manufacture,” “computer program product,” and/or computer-readable medium as used herein are intended to encompass a computer program existent (permanently, temporarily, or transitorily) on any computer-usable medium such as on any memory device or in any transmitting device.

One skilled in the art of computer science from the description provided herein will be able to combine the software created as described with appropriate general purpose or special purpose computer hardware to create a computer system and/or computer subcomponents embodying the invention, and to create a computer system and/or computer subcomponents for carrying out methods of the invention.

Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example, the present invention is not limited to what is traditionally known as “slot machines.” The present invention is applicable to any gaming device or table game to incorporate bonus rounds in connection with a gaming system. Also, while the illustrated embodiments have been described in large part in connection with a “slot machine,” other gaming systems and concepts are also within the scope of the invention, such as video poker games, card games, and other casino events.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the exemplary embodiments of the invention described herein have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The description of these exemplary embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is thus not intended that the scope of the invention be limited with this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. 

1. A method comprising: randomly designating one or more segments of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions; and for each of the candidate wild positions, changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol if the change will improve a result for any paylines involving the respective wild position.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol comprises changing the existing symbol to a wild symbol if the change results in a winning symbol combination for any paylines involving the respective candidate wild position.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol comprises changing the existing symbol to a wild symbol if the change results in an award or an increased award for any paylines involving the respective candidate wild position.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising leaving the existing symbol unchanged if the change will not improve the result for any paylines involving the respective wild position.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether changing symbols presented in the designated one or more segments will improve the result for any of the paylines involving the respective wild position by analyzing resulting symbol combinations occurring on the paylines.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein randomly designating one or more segments of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions comprises randomly designating a subset of the set of segments forming the gaming grid as the candidate wild positions.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol comprises replacing a symbol previously presented in the respective segment to a wild symbol.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein replacing a symbol previously presented in the respective segment comprises replacing a symbol presented during a standard gaming activity to a wild symbol in a bonus gaming activity.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising designating a number of segments eligible for the random designation as candidate wild positions.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a standard gaming activity to present symbols in the gaming grid, and wherein changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol comprises replacing the symbol presented via the standard gaming activity to the wild symbol.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein randomly designating one or more segments as candidate wild positions comprises randomly designating the one or more segments as candidate wild positions in response to new symbols being presented via the gaming grid.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein randomly designating the one or more segments comprises randomly designating the one or more segments in response to each spin of the reels that form the gaming grid.
 13. The method of claim 12, randomly designating the one or more segments comprises randomly designating the one or more segments in response to each spin of mechanical reels that form the gaming grid.
 14. The method of claim 12, randomly designating the one or more segments comprises randomly designating the one or more segments in response to each spin of electronic reels that form the gaming grid.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining payout results for each of the paylines that are active and associated with the gaming grid.
 16. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon which are executable by a computer system for facilitating participation in a gaming activity by performing steps comprising: randomly designating one or more segments of a gaming grid as candidate wild positions; and for each of the candidate wild positions, changing an existing symbol to a wild symbol if the change will improve a result for any paylines involving the respective wild position.
 17. A gaming method, comprising: presenting a display grid comprising a plurality of grid positions to a game player; providing a symbol in each of the plurality of grid positions to the game player in response to a game play; entering a bonus event in response to a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols being provided to the game player; randomly choosing a number of the plurality of grid positions as candidate wild positions; indicating each of the candidate wild positions as wild to the game player if changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a wild symbol benefits the game player; and determining winning results using the provided symbols and indicated wild symbols.
 18. The gaming method as in claim 17, wherein the display grid comprises presented symbols of a mechanical reel arrangement, and wherein changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a wild symbol comprises distinguishing the candidate wild positions from the remaining positions of the mechanical reel arrangement.
 19. The gaming method as in claim 17, wherein changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a wild symbol comprises visually identifying the candidate wild position.
 20. A casino gaming apparatus hosting a gaming activity having at least a standard mode of operation and a bonus mode of operation, the casino gaming apparatus comprising: a display grid having a plurality of grid positions; a user interface to facilitate player participation in at least the standard mode of operation; and a processor configured to enter a bonus mode of operation in response to a predetermined symbol combination occurring during the standard mode of operation, and during the bonus mode of operation to randomly choose a number of the plurality of grid positions as candidate wild positions, indicate each of the candidate wild positions as wild to the game player if changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a wild symbol benefits the game player, and determine winning results using the provided symbols and indicated wild symbols.
 21. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the processor comprises a random number generator configured to randomly select the candidate wild positions.
 22. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the casino gaming apparatus comprises a slot machine, and the standard mode of operation of the slot machine includes a slot game.
 23. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the casino gaming apparatus comprises a video poker machine, and the standard mode of operation of the video poker machine includes a poker game.
 24. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the casino gaming apparatus comprises a video bingo machine, and the standard mode of operation of the video bingo machine includes a bingo game.
 25. The casino gaming apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the casino gaming apparatus comprises a video keno machine, and the standard mode of operation of the video keno machine includes a keno game.
 26. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for executing a gaming activity, the computer-executable instructions performing steps comprising: presenting a display grid comprising a plurality of grid positions to a game player; providing a symbol in each of the plurality of grid positions to the game player in response to a game play; entering a bonus event in response to a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols being provided to the game player; randomly choosing a number of the plurality of grid positions as candidate wild positions; indicating each of the candidate wild positions as wild to the game player if changing the symbol at the candidate wild position to a wild symbol benefits the game player; and determining winning results using the provided symbols and indicated wild symbols. 